A brave and beloved family pet battled the strong currents of a flooded Washington river to come to the rescue of a drowning child.

Marie and Tom Morgan from Ridgefield, Washington were out walking their dog Maggie by the Lewis river, with their 6-year-old daughter Taylor. Taylor picked up a rock and ran toward the river to throw it in and as she neared the water’s edge the bank she was standing on collapsed into the river taking her with it. If it weren’t for the quick actions of Maggie the Morgan’s would have lost their daughter that day.

photo: R.B. Stewart

Dog Maggie Leaps In After Her

Tom watched in disbelief as the fast and furious water swept his daughter away. “I was running as fast as I could along the edge when Maggie bolted past me for about 30 yards and then leaped into the river. I lost sight of both of them for a second and then I saw Maggie with Taylor’s jacket collar in her mouth trying to swim towards the bank. The river took them down about another hundred yards before Maggie was able to reach the bank. Even though they went under a few times she didn’t let go once. If it hadn’t been for Maggie, we would have lost our daughter.”

Maggie Grabs Onto Jacket and Pulls Her Out

The Morgans were not the only ones to witness the rescue, a jogger at the scene was amazed by the sight of Maggie pulling Taylor out of the water.

“The dog sprinted and jumped about 12 feet out into the river just in front of the child. They both went under and when they came up the dog had her jacket in its mouth and was dragging her to the bank. The dad ran into the water’s edge and grabbed the other side of the child’s jacket and they both dragged her up onto the grass. I have never seen anything like it.”

A Special Bond Between Them

Local police Sargeant Michael Brodie says the family is very lucky to own a dog with such devotion. “At the family’s home the dog would look back and forth between me and Taylor. I could sense something extremely unusual between them,” he said.

Surprisingly, this is not the first time Maggie has come to Taylor’s rescue. About two years ago, while at home, the usually gentle and quiet Maggie started barking like crazy. When the Morgans rushed to see what was happening they found Taylor lying in the grass having trouble breathing. She had been stung by a bee and is highly allergic.

A Sad Turn

Maggie has been nominated for a Commendation of Bravery award by the police department but sadly, Maggie may not be alive to receive it.

Last month Maggie was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and will only survive another few months. “We haven’t told Taylor yet as she will be devastated. It will be the hardest thing we have ever had to do. The two have an inseparable bond that is based on real love. We owe our daughter’s life to her.”

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